![]() On the fourth day of the new year, the God of Kitchen will come back to the family to continue watching over them. A legend says that the God of Kitchen returns to Heaven about six to seven days before the new year, to report on the family conditions to the Jade Emperor. (接神日) It is the day to honor the God of Kitchen (灶神). In the Nüwa legend, today is the Birthday of Pig. In return, the rats would not disturb the family during the year. There is a legend that says this the day the rats get married (老鼠娶新娘), so people should leave some rice in the kitchen and the balcony as gifts and people should go to sleep early as not to disturb the rats. Hence, many people prefer not to visit others and just stay home to avoid getting into fights. (赤口) There is a saying that it is easy for people to get into arguments on the third day of the new year. In the Nüwa legend, it is the Birthday of the Dog. Some will have a festive meal (開年飯), especially business people, to celebrate and wish for prosperity in the new year. (迎婿日) Married daughters bring her husband and children to visit her parents. In the Nüwa legend, it is the Birthday of the Chicken. Sweeping and cleaning are forbidden, as they could wipe away good luck. The idea is that the more noise people make, the better to chase away the evil monster named Nian (年), who loves to scare people on the first day of the new year. Some will visit temples hoping to be among the first group of people to pay respect to the gods and goddesses.įirecrackers, dragon and lion dances, and various celebration events are scheduled to bless everyone. It is a day to visit other family members, starting from the oldest and most senior members of the family. Many other families have a big feast instead to celebrate the first day of the new year. Many families serve all vegetarian dishes for their first meal as it is believed to help purify and cleanse out the body. In some regions, family members stay awake all night (守歲), to say goodbye to the old year and to welcome the first day of the new year it is also believed to bring blessings to the elderly members and increase their longevity. In some regions, married people will give out red pockets (壓歲錢) to children to place under their pillows for good luck in the year to come. The celebration starts on New Year’s Eve (除夕) when family members gather together for dinner (團年飯/團圓飯/年夜飯), to toast on the hard work and achievements throughout the year. In 2023, the Lunar Year, Year of the Rabbit, begins on January 22 and ends on February 5. No matter how different the meanings and traditions are, Lunar New Year is when people spend time with families and friends to celebrate traditions and make wishes for a good year to come. Then some folktales talk about the God of Wealth (財神) bringing good fortunes to people, about the God of Kitchen (灶神) watching households, and many more. ![]() ![]() ![]() Hence each day of the new year is considered to be the birthday of her creations. It is believed that she spent the first six days creating animals, the seventh-day creating humans, and the eighth day creating grains. Among the many myths, there is one about Nüwa (女媧), the goddess who created the world. Many of the meanings also come from legends and folktales passed down from generation to generation. The days' significance and customs vary between regions and beliefs. The celebration generally runs for 15 days, with each day having special meaning and traditions to honor. Lunar New Year (農曆新年) marks the first day of the year in the lunar calendar.
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